Global Scans · Walmart · Weekly Summary

• [New] Aldi is on track to have more than 3,000 locations by 2028, which would put it ahead of every food retailer in the U.S. not named Walmart. Grocery Dive
• [New] In addition to existing automated locations, Walmart will break ground on another fulfillment center in 2026 that leans on robotics to move goods and support in store navigation tools, a plan outlined in coverage of Walmart changes. AOL
• [New] By partnering with Google, Walmart is building on earlier efforts to prepare for a future in which customers will increasingly use AI chatbots to make purchases. Digiday
• [New] Tariffs and Trade Policy: With approximately 20% of its imports tied to China, any escalation in trade tensions or new tariffs in 2026 could force Walmart to either raise prices or squeeze its own margins. Inyo Register
• [New] Walmart and Wing said they will establish a network of over 270 drone delivery locations by 2027, stretching from Los Angeles to Miami. Robotics 24/7
• [New] Walmart will expand drone delivery service to an additional 150 Walmart stores in 2026, on a flight path that will establish a network of 270 drone delivery locations in 2027 stretching from Los Angeles to Miami. Retail Touchpoints
• [New] As Walmart continues to blend its physical assets with digital prowess, the retail sector watches closely, anticipating further disruptions to Amazon's longstanding lead. Cord Cutters News
• [New] Major corporations like Walmart, UnitedHealth Group and JPMorgan Chase have already started telling investors that AI will allow them to cut payrolls. Salon.com
• [New] As large retailers like Walmart and Target embrace agentic shopping, consumers will quickly grow more comfortable outsourcing large portions of their shopping journeys to AI assistants. Solutions Review Technology News and Vendor Reviews
• [New] Walmart plans to have DSLs operational in 2,300 stores by 2026. AOL
• In addition to the existing automated facilities, Walmart will begin construction of another fulfillment center in 2026, which will feature technological advances such as autonomous mobile robots and optimized storage processes. MARCA
• Walmart is leaning into AI - and soon, shopping could become as easy as sending a message. SheFinds
• With a focus on expansion and modernization, Walmart plans to implement a Store of the Future concept by updating or constructing over 100 new locations. Mashed
• Barring any bursting of a tech bubble, artificial intelligence will likely play a bigger role in shopping in 2026, as Walmart and others collaborate with OpenAI to facilitate purchases through ChatGPT. Morningstar, Inc.
• Elon Musk announces Tesla will capture carbon using Cybertrucks parked in Walmart lots. Climate Drift
• Companies that sell online, like Amazon and Walmart, will have their websites and apps open for transactions. Yahoo Finance
• We expect to see a wave of M&A activity as cash-rich winners like Walmart and Eli Lilly acquire smaller firms to fold them into their AI-optimized ecosystems. The Chronicle-Journal
• Walmart now expects net sales growth of between 4.8% and 5.1%, up from its prior forecast for a 3.75% to 4.75% increase. eMarketer

Last updated: 19 January 2026